What is my digital microscope's field of view?
October 30, 2012
The field of view (FOV) is given for Celestron's digital microscopes at each power. If the FOV is less than 1 mm, then the size is given in micrometers (microns, µm – one millimeter equals 1000 microns). The number given is either the diameter of the FOV or its longest dimension. In general, FOV decreases as magnification increases. Higher magnifications also have very shallow depth of focus and smaller working distances too. In short, high magnifications should only be used for very small subjects or portions of subjects.
(Note: these figures are approximate and may differ from the actual instrument.)
As comparisons, here is a table of commonly imaged subjects and their sizes either in mm or µm. Use this table with the main chart to help you decide which microscope and magnification you need to view your particular subject best. For example: the LCD Digital Microscope models would not be good choices when you want to view most or all of a stamp or coin; a Handheld Digital Microscope would not be a good choice to see shapes of mold spores, etc.
(Note: these figures are approximate and may differ from the actual instrument.)
As comparisons, here is a table of commonly imaged subjects and their sizes either in mm or µm. Use this table with the main chart to help you decide which microscope and magnification you need to view your particular subject best. For example: the LCD Digital Microscope models would not be good choices when you want to view most or all of a stamp or coin; a Handheld Digital Microscope would not be a good choice to see shapes of mold spores, etc.
| US Dime | 18 mm |
| US Forever stamp | 22x25 mm |
| Small mineral-rock specimen | 10 mm |
| Jewelry gemstones | 1-10 mm |
| Printed circuit board component | 3-5 mm |
| PC board lead | 0.5 mm or 500 µm |
| Human sperm cell | 5x50 µm |
| Human skin cell | 100 µm |
| Human egg cell | 100-200 µm |
| Human red blood cell | 6-8 µm |
| Amoeba proteus | 220-740 μm |
| Argentine ant Linepithema humile | 3 mm |
| Escherichia coli bacterium | 2.0 x 0.5 μm |
| Dust mites | 100-300 µm |
| Dust mite droppings | 4-25 µm |
| Ragweed pollen | 15-25 µm |
| Mold spores | 0.5-20 µm |
| For models 44301 through 44348 magnification is for the displayed digital image. | ||||||||
| 44301 Mini Handheld Digital |
15x 18 mm |
30x 11 mm |
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| 44302-A Handheld Digital |
10x 16 mm |
40x 8.0 mm |
150x 2.6 mm |
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| 44310 Portable LCD Digital |
3.5x 14 mm |
54x 800 µm |
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| 44320 Digital Microscope Kit |
40x 700 µm |
150x 190 µm |
300x 90 µm |
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| 44325-44326 Amoeba |
10x 20 mm |
60x 5.0 mm |
200x 1.4 mm |
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| 44340 LCD Digital |
40x 1.5 mm |
100x 600 µm |
400x 150 µm |
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| 44345 Deluxe LCD Digital |
40x 1.5 mm |
100x 600 µm |
200x 300 µm |
400x 150 µm |
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| 44348 PentaView |
40x 1.5 mm |
100x 600 µm |
200x 300 µm |
400x 150 µm |
600x 100 µm |
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Updated 11/21/13
